When Dotty got to the bottom tread, he took her hand. “You look charming.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
She started to curtsey, but he held her up, tucking her hand in his arm. “I did not know what you liked, so I brought a less spirited team.”
“I appreciate your consideration, but it wasn’t necessary.” As they stepped to the pavement, she saw the perfectly matched pair waited patiently. “Oh! Grays are my favorite.”
He smiled and handed her into a dark green curricle with yellow detailing. The seats were gray leather, two shades darker than the horses. “I’m glad you like them. Do you know a lot about horses?”
“Yes, my father is the squire. I was taught to ride almost before I could walk, and was driving when I was just ten years old. At home, I have my own gig, but nothing nearly as lovely as this.”
Though he was still put out about Worthington’s visit earlier, apparently Miss Stern knew nothing about it. Dom went around to the other side of the carriage. She should have a vehicle every bit as beautiful as she was. She was quiet while he navigated the busy streets, but he sensed that she noticed everything around them. “Is this the first time you’ve visited the Park in a carriage?”
What a stupid thing to have asked. He knew it was. Yet, when she peeped up at him with those green eyes, he suddenly didn’t feel like an idiot anymore.
“You handle the horses very well.”
Dom’s chest puffed out. Since when did a woman’s compliment mean so much? “Thank you. I’m a member of the Four Horse Club.”
Good God, now he was bragging, and by the confused expression on her face she didn’t even know what he was talking about. “Never mind. It is not important. Did you have fun last evening at Almack’s?”
She smiled and made a tinkling sound. “Yes, indeed. I danced every set. It was very kind of you to ensure I could waltz.”
“You’re welcome. It was the least I could do.” Dom wanted to groan. From stupid to callow. What was happening to him?
“Today, all three of us received so many poesies and other small gifts, I was amazed.”
That’s what he’d forgotten to do. Damn Worthington for putting him out of temper. “It was only to be expected. You were the three loveliest young ladies in attendance.”
She blushed slightly and turned her face from him so that only her profile showed.
“Charlotte and Louisa said it might happen, but truly I didn’t expect it.”
As they were nearing the Serpentine, the waterway that snaked through part of the Park, Miss Stern’s attention was drawn away from him toward the water. The only thing he could see was a couple of boys with a sack.
“Oh no. Not here, too!” She glanced quickly at him. “My lord, please, you must stop!”
The second he slowed, she jumped from the carriage before he had a chance to hand her down. Skirts flapping around her ankles, she raced toward the youths. “Cease. Immediately!”
To Dom’s amazement they did. He applied the carriage brake and strode after her. Although he couldn’t hear what she was saying, having heard her chastise a man before, he had a deuced good idea. She was as imperious as a duchess when her ire was up. Nothing at all like he would have expected a baronet’s daughter to act. Who knew how those ruffians would react.
As Miss Stern reached for the bag, the young men’s faces became surly. They were both taller than her and, from their ragged garb, used to low society.
The one holding the sack scowled. “What ye ’bout? This here’s none of yer concern.”
She narrowed her eyes and the fierceness in her tone shocked Dom. “It is if what’s in that bag is what I think it is.”
The bag wiggled and emitted a small chirping cry.
“Aha.” She held out her hand. Making it clear she expected to be obeyed. “Give it to me at once.”
“Dotty”—Lady Charlotte appeared next to Miss Stern—“what is it?”
Dom glanced around; his cousin Louisa was here as well. Not only that, but a small crowd was gathering.
“Kittens,” Miss Stern replied. The boy started to leave and she reached out to stop him. “Oh no you don’t. Give them to me.”
“We’s just doing our dooty,” the other lad said.
